From left, daughter of the celebrator, Mrs. Ayotola Akinyemi, Gov Abiola Ajimobi, Celebrant, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, his Wife, Abosede and Daughter, Mrs. Biola Taylor.

From left, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi and the celebrant, Mr. Ayo Afolabi chatting.

From left, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, Celebrant, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, his Wife, Abosede, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Ogun Deputy Gov. Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga launching a book for the celebrant.jpg

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

Eminent Nigerians, including some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, today gathered at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, UI along Ojoo Road for the celebration of the 70th birthday anniversary of the South West Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Ayo Afolabi.

In attendance were the South West Governors: Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, represented by his deputy, Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun, represented by the Secretary, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Also in attendance were: Senator Mojeed Alabi from Osun West senatorial district; Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group, Mr Wale Oshun; former deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief iyiola Oladokun who is the Chairman, Committee of Friends to the celebrant; Oba Dokun Abolarin of Oke-Ila kingdom; His royal highness, Oba Lamidi Oke, Atayegun of Ode-Omu; Dr Kunle Olajide, Secretary General, Yoruba Council of Elders; Dr Adebayo Adewusi, former governorship aspirant; Special Adviser on Political matters to Lagos State Governor, Mr Olayinka Adekunle; Chief Segun Odegbami, former Super Eagles Star; Chief Akin Oke, Oyo State Chairman, APC; former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Chief Ayodele Adigun; Mr Odia Ofeimun, former Personal Secretary to the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose who gave a sermon at the event.

All the attendees who poured encomium on the celebrant described him as an astute politician and a quintessential man.

Governor Ajimobi described the septuagenarian as a lucky, accommodating man who, epitomized progressive politics adding, “Mr Afolabi is extremely accommodating. Both in looks and character, he is a quintessential man. One of the politicians whose enormous contributions to politics were not commensurate with the benefits he got so far. He is a respectful and dependable man”.

In similar vein, Governor Akeredolu noted that the celebrant could be likened to a “river that moves and the current under him is so strong. I appreciate you for your consistency in politics. He has never moved out of progressive politics. He did so well. He is very strong in Afenifere Renewal Group which is a product of circumstance when original Afenifere was drifting away, at least to give us in the South West a focus”.

Advising him to ‘slow down’ at 70, Akeredolu said, “You have to slow down on so many things. You have some compulsion in you to serve the people in the South West. Time has come for you to take note of your health. Your colleagues should accept that at your age; you have to slow down. As one of the old hands in politics, we will always come to you for advice in politics. If we are to give you a percentage, you have devoted about 70 per cent of your life to serving the people”.

In his remark, Dr Fayemi said all his exploits since he ventured into politics were exemplary pointing out that, “He has crossed the Rubicon now, he is now Pa Ayo Afolabi. I appreciate him for being a mentor and a teacher of our people”.